Chapter 28: Suddenly, a Linley Soars Across the Sky

The fruits boasted to Linley about the spring water. Their thoughts were so simple—Linley certainly wouldn’t fall for it, especially with Winnie at his side. There was no way she would let her son take such a risk.

“This spring water can wait for the mages to come and study it,” Winnie observed, seeing clearly that something was wrong with the water. “Take out that shoe. That one’s a treasure.”

Linley nodded. After soaking for decades, the shoe’s exterior showed little damage—it was certainly no ordinary person’s shoe.

“Go fetch the shoe, clean it, and bring it to me…” Linley turned to the fruits. “Hurry up, I’m hungry.”

He just wanted to get out sooner for lunch, but at his mention of hunger, the fruits nearly died of fright. They dashed into the bath, fetched the shoe, and ran off to find clean water to wash it.

After lunch, Linley began examining the shoe.

It was a woman’s shoe—large and heavy, far too big for him to wear. Its original owner must have had quite the large foot.

“The main material here is dragonhide,” the earring informed him. “And those two Dina feathers are even more precious than the dragonhide.”

At the heel of the high boot were two silver-white feathers—the most important part of the shoe. The earring explained they were feathers that granted flight.

Hearing this, Linley immediately brought out a pair of scissors.

“Let’s take the shoe apart!”

“And for what purpose?” the earring asked.

“I have an idea.”

Excitedly, Linley began to dismantle the shoe.

But to his surprise, the shoe was impervious to blades and blows. Despite his best efforts, he made no progress.

“Is Dina a bird?” Linley, undeterred, pulled out a hammer, pounding at the shoe while questioning the earring.

“Dina was a white bird born on the first World Tree,” the earring replied. “She is the ancestor of all birds and holds a special place among the demigods of the wild. Many demigods, in their search for truth, have received her guidance.”

Guidance toward truth—at this, Linley immediately decided that bird must be quite the storyteller.

“This shoe is really tough to take apart!”

Finding the hammer useless, he stuck a rune for explosive spells on the shoe…

Deep into the night, Linley’s room echoed with explosions.

“Who would have guessed that guy could get addicted even to dismantling a shoe!” The leopard lay impatiently on her straw, listening. Still, this was good—she was sure that oddball wouldn’t pay her any attention for the time being. Now was the perfect chance to escape.

She’d tested the waters that afternoon; no one was lurking nearby. Now, with the castle guards focused on protecting their two masters, they’d completely forgotten her.

“As much as I’d love revenge, I should escape first!” The leopard abandoned the idea of revenge—not to mention the odds of success, this kind of chance to escape was rare. Tomorrow, royal mages would arrive to redecorate the castle; her time was running out.

She rose and bit through the rope around her neck—good heavens, that guy had tied her up in the stable like a horse! Did he really mean to keep her as a mount forever? The thought had irritated her all afternoon. She was not that kind of woman; letting him ride her for a few days was already showing restraint.

“At least I’m not the only one embarrassed…” She glanced at the four other creatures tied up beside her, sleeping soundly despite their bonds—such peace of mind! But that wasn’t the real issue. The real issue was: did Linley really want to ride fruits too? That was truly terrifying!

Slipping out of the castle, the leopard could hardly believe how smoothly things were going. Overjoyed, she sprinted toward Snow City, knowing kin awaited her there, kin who could undo her seal.

“Once I regain my power, will I ever lack the chance for revenge?” The thought filled her with the scent of freedom.

At that moment, an emerald arrow shot from the woods.

“Ah!” The leopard leapt aside just in time, narrowly avoiding the arrow.

She stopped in disbelief, staring into the forest. “You? What are you doing here?”

Linwen emerged from the trees, his longbow dissolving into white light in his right hand.

“I never forgot that Linley was keeping a ticking time bomb beside him,” he said with a smile. “Mother’s always been scatterbrained—she was bound to overlook your movements.”

The leopard glared furiously at Linwen. “I’m already reduced to this, and you still think I’ll harm him?”

“I don’t make the same mistake twice.” Linwen knew it was unlikely the leopard could harm Linley, but he’d learned his lesson about underestimating the enemy. He would not err again. Finishing his duties for the day, he’d hurried over—just in time to catch her escape.

The leopard’s eyes flashed with anger. “Let me go! How long do you intend to humiliate me?”

Linwen considered. Perhaps he had gone too far. This druid had led the demigods of the wild to them, an unforgivable crime, but she was, after all, a primal elf—suffering Linley’s endless torment was punishment enough.

“Enough.” Linwen raised his hand, his longbow materializing again. “I’ll give you a swift end.”

“You mean to kill me!” the leopard roared, claws bared. This time, Linwen nocked an arrow radiating a dreadful aura.

“Isn’t that obvious?” Linwen smiled as he drew the bow. “Handing you over to Linley was never meant to let you leave alive.”

That smile chilled the leopard to the bone. Compared to the little one, this crown prince was the truly ruthless one.

“You think I’m afraid of you?”

Her face twisted with rage. She knew she couldn’t dodge Linwen’s arrow, but facing death, she was calmer than ever. In her days with Linley, she’d learned that wisdom, not strength, was life’s greatest safeguard.

Now was the moment to use her wits.

“Master, save me!” she howled to the sky, “Someone’s trying to kill me!”

Her cry echoed through the night, long and unbroken—leaving Linwen dumbfounded.

“It’s no use. He can’t get here in time…” The leopard had been with Linley for days, and she was all but done for. Linley was unpredictable, but this time, there was no way he’d appear out of nowhere.

Linwen aimed at the leopard, but in the next instant, a Linley flew overhead.

He swooped by in the sky, and Linwen was left gaping. He swore he wasn’t hallucinating—his little brother was flying overhead, circling like a giant, awkward fly!

However, Linley seemed unable to control his flight and promptly crashed into a nearby grove.

“This is madness.” Linwen slung his bow and melted into the shadows. “Druid, count yourself lucky. Go save him—I can’t be seen by him right now.”

The leopard, having escaped death, dashed into the woods. “Master, where are you?”

Cold sweat soaked her fur. She’d gambled and won—Linley really could do anything. But how on earth had he just flown past?

She found Linley stuck in a tree, struggling.

“Snowy, I’m stuck—give me a hand!”

Linley was delighted to see her, and the leopard obediently tugged at his pant leg, pulling him free.

“Well done, Snowy. Out for a walk?” Linley brushed leaves off his clothes. He thought he’d heard her cry for help, but she seemed fine. For now, he was just glad for his own sake.

“Heh…hahaha!” Linley threw his head back in laughter. “Hahahaha!”

“…What’s so funny?” the leopard asked, still trembling.

“I’ve invented a new martial art! My theory is flawless!” Linley’s nose went up in pride. “Did you see me fly? Lightness skill—I’ve mastered it!”

“…No, you just tied two feathers to your shoes.” The leopard wasn’t blind; she could see the Dina feathers bound to his soles. As a druid, she would never mistake a demigod’s feather.

Linley laughed even harder. “Don’t mind the details—flying is what matters!”

Looking at his beaming face, the leopard decided she’d best stick close to him for now. Perhaps she could let him ride a little longer.